Vapor trap system for detecting volatile organic chemical vapors

Abstract

A vapor trap for detecting VOCs includes a housing, having a first end portion, a second end portion and at least one opening for receiving gas vapor. The housing is at least partially buried in ground with a vapor containment mechanism detachably connected to the first end portion of the housing. The vapor containment mechanism can be removed and replaced with a vapor sampling mechanism. An organic vapor analyzer can be connected in fluid relationship to the vapor sampling mechanism to measure VOCs. Optionally, a vacuum pump can be utilized to draw vapor into the vapor trap and then subsequently into the organic vapor analyzer. There can be a first selector valve located between the vapor sampling mechanism and the vacuum pump and a second selector valve located between the vapor sampling mechanism and the organic vapor analyzer. A preferred organic vapor analyzer is a photo-ionization detector.

1. A vapor trap for detecting VOCs comprising: a housing having a vapor transmissive opening, wherein said vapor transmissive opening is buried in ground, a vapor containment mechanism detachably connected with said housing, said vapor containment mechanism comprising a sampling plug, and a vacuum pump and an organic vapor analyzer fluidly connected with said sampling plug. 
   
   
     2. The vapor trap, as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said sampling plug is removably engaged with said housing. 
   
   
     3. The vapor trap, as set forth in  claim 2 , further comprising a standard plug, said standard plug and said sampling plug being alternatively and removably engaged with said housing. 
   
   
     4. The vapor trap, as set forth in  claim 1 , further comprising a floor above the soil, said floor comprising a hole to the soil, wherein said housing is inserted into said hole in said floor. 
   
   
     5. The vapor trap, as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said vapor transmissive opening further comprises a screen filter. 
   
   
     6. The vapor trap, as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said housing has a first end portion and a second end portion and wherein said vapor transmissive opening is located adjacent to said first end portion and said vapor containment mechanism is located adjacent to said second end portion. 
   
   
     7. The vapor trap, as set forth in  claim 1 , further comprising a sealing material around said housing. 
   
   
     8. A vapor trap for detecting VOCs in soil comprising: a floor above the soil, said floor comprising a hole to the soil, a housing, said housing inserted into said hole in said floor, a vapor transmissive portion connected with said housing, wherein said vapor transmissive portion fluidly communicates with the soil, and a vapor containment portion associated with said housing. 
   
   
     9. The vapor trap, as set forth in  claim 8 , wherein said vapor containment portion further comprises a plug removably engaged with said housing. 
   
   
     10. The vapor trap, as set forth in  claim 9 , wherein said plug is selected from the group consisting of a standard plug and a sampling plug. 
   
   
     11. The vapor trap, as set forth in  claim 10 , wherein said standard plug and said sampling plug are alternatively and removably engaged with said housing. 
   
   
     12. The vapor trap, as set forth in  claim 10 , further comprising a vacuum pump fluidly connected with said sampling plug. 
   
   
     13. The vapor trap, as set forth in  claim 10 , further comprising a VOC detection instrument fluidly connected with said sampling plug. 
   
   
     14. The vapor trap, as set forth in  claim 13 , wherein said VOC detection instrument is an organic vapor analyzer. 
   
   
     15. A vapor trap for detecting VOCs comprising: a housing having a vapor transmissive opening, wherein said vapor transmissive opening is buried in ground, a vapor containment mechanism detachably connected with said housing, and an organic vapor analyzer fluidly connected with said vapor containment mechanism. 
   
   
     16. The vapor trap, as set forth in  claim 15 , wherein said vapor containment mechanism further comprises a plug removably engaged with said housing. 
   
   
     17. The vapor trap, as set forth in  claim 15 , wherein said vapor transmissive opening further comprises a screen filter. 
   
   
     18. The vapor trap, as set forth in  claim 15 , further comprising a floor above the soil, said floor comprising a hole extending into the soil, wherein said housing is inserted into said hole in said floor. 
   
   
     19. The vapor trap, as set forth in  claim 18 , further comprising a porous medium in said hole and surrounding said vapor transmissive opening. 
   
   
     20. The vapor trap, as set forth in  claim 18 , further comprising a sealing material in said hole and surrounding said housing.